The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-15


three tabernacles, one for Thee, one for
Moses and one for Elias" He had not
yet learned that the work of Christ was
not to erect temples or monuments, but
to disseminate the saving truth of God
for his temples are in human hearts
Too many of the professed followers of
Christ have not yet grown beyond the
point of temple-building as the ultima
tum of Christian work. Perhaps this
is especially true of our own denomina-
ton. The dormant churches all over
the country evidence greater enthusi-
asm for building houses of worship than
for continued worship in those houses.
This was not Jesus idea of establishing
the kingdom. We do not see that he
encouraged Peters building project.
Possibly we will be wiser when we shall
have learned where not to build taber-
nacles to the Lord, and not to express
our entire enthusiasm in material ways,
but rather to heed the sacred voice,
which bids US ''hear him" who is the
s. beloved Son." and the expression of
the Fathers love. The analogy be-
tween the history of Peter and that of
our church is, indeed, striking and may
afford us profitable Convention lesson.
Jesus chose Peter from among the
common people, because his message
was to the common people as well as
to the aristocratic Jews. God breathed
the spirit of his holy truth into the
soul of Thomas Potter, who was also a
fisherman and among the common peo-
pie. He gave him courage to wait his
own good time until the true message
should be delivered. But if the world
were to know no more of these great
truths than was apprehended by Simon
Peter or Thomas Potter, its faith would
be little and its knowledge less. But
since God said to Moses, "Speak unto
the children of Israel that they go for
ward" man has been making wonder
full advancement in knowledge of truth.
Never, perhaps, have these two inspir-
ing words of the old Prophet borne
more clearly the authority of God than
they bear to-day; and never did they
ring in the ears of Gods true worship
ers with the divine power and meaning
they possess in our time. Men have
come to see that any inspiration, wheth-
er recorded in the sacred book, in the
elder Scriptures, or in the human mind,
if it is applicable to US and seems to fit
our needs, is designed for US. By pour
ing into the soul Of the old Prophet the
divine energy and influence God i'm
pressed him, that to Ego forward" was
the need of the children of Israel. So
he is speaking to great souls in all these
passing years. Forward is the animus
of all true inspiration. The very nat
ure of the command given by Moses to
the faltering children of Israel stamped
it divine and was Gods own seal.
Nothing can be more interesting to q
true lover of Universalism than to note
the growth of the church from the in.
cipient stage of its life to the broad and
beautiful faith Of to-day and yet it has
not reached its meridian splendor. Like
Peter, its first efforts were feeble its
first step away from the Olden bondage
was small, compared with the mighty
strides of later years. It's perception
of the divine principles was meager
its understanding of the universal was
not what it has come to be. 1t has had
its season of flattering, because its true
mission was only half perceived. II
has done valiant service with the SWORD
of truth, and smitten, not only the ear
but the head from many servant OF
the high priests of orthodoxy; yet deer
in the heart it has heard the word OF
the Master, and realized that the sword
alone cannot build up the kingdom. II
may wage war, but cannot mold a
peace. Sometimes it has fully Needed
the injunction to proclaim upon the
house tops all the subtle and spiritual
truths that God has spoken in the dark
ness of its secret soul, but sometimes,
alas, it has hidden its best light under
the bushel. Like Peter, our denomina.
tion has grown by experience and per
secution. Yet sometimes, or some
phases of it, have had days of denial
when the applause of the world seemed
more desirable than strict fidelity to the
Master; and so, through our fundamen-
tai principles are the rock on which
Christ's church must be built, the de-
nomination has no infallibility in itself.
1t has no authority, save as it is itself
obedient to the latest word of God.
Peter received the appreciation of the
Master only when he was true and
faithful, and though he recognized the
fact that Jesus was indeed the Christ,
and unhesitatingly confessed it, for
which the Master blessed him, yet Jesus
did not withhold the most scathing re-
Duke when Peter protested against the
sacrifice which he himself was ready to
make. The smile of God will never
shine upon those who do only half du-
ties, or those who have the most per-